Season of Giving Fundraisers Support Walton County Scholarships and Charities

By Kathleen Edge, Publicity & Website Chair

October 1, 2026

September brought the first day of Fall 2026 and a great start to Green Thumb Garden Club’s 2026/2027 year. We reunited with friends, welcomed new members and learned about ferns and shade gardening. Member Kathy Bilello’s Island Green home received the September Yard of Distinction Award. GTGC is now ready to go with a calendar full of education, fun and fundraising events in the next few months.

First up is the Fall Festival & Farmer’s Market at Grand Boulevard, Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 9 am to 2 pm. Green Thumb will be there with plants and garden items, an on-site Master Gardener Plant Doctor to answer questions and provide expertise advice as well as a special children’s activity.

The next member meeting is October 21, 2026, at Westwinds Conference Center. The day is very busy with a presentation on how to extend the life of those special holiday plant gifts, a pre-sale of holiday bazaar merchandise and collecting donations for Caring & Sharing’s Thanksgiving food drive for families in need in Walton County. The check-in time is 9:30 am and lunch will be served. More information is available on Green Thumb’s website.

“Where Every Day is a Celebration” is the theme of the Club’s largest scholarship and charities fundraiser. The sixth annual Holiday Bazaar will showcase unique seasonal décor, original artwork, jewelry, handmade greeting cards, gift baskets and much, much more. There is something for everyone! Special thanks to Cantina Laredo for allowing the Club to have the event on November 14, 2026, at their Grand Boulevard location.

Fundraising net proceeds support scholarships awarded to deserving Walton County horticulture college students, Timpoochee 4H Youth Camp, E.O. Wilson Biophilia Naturalists Outdoor Program and Westonwood Ranch programs. GTGC assists over a dozen organizations in Walton County.

Please visit the Green Thumb Garden Club website to learn about our charitable mission, how to join and details on meetings, activities, and events. The website address is www.greenthumbgardenclubinc.org or email to greenthumbgardenclubinc@gmail.com.

The Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc., located in Walton County, Florida, is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to stimulate interest in the beautification of Walton County, furthering the education of its members and the public in gardening ~ horticulture ~ botany ~ floral design ~ environmental awareness ~ conservation ~ civic beautification ~ nature studies and instill in our youth the love of gardening and respect for the environment.